Overcoming carrier aggregation signaling overhead when firstnet qos policies are enforced

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, initiating emergency QoS measures in a RAN cell responsive to detecting an emergency condition applicable to the RAN cell, identifying, among a plurality of wireless communication devices served by the RAN cell, a set of non-emergency devices, identifying, among the set of non-emergency devices, one or more carrier aggregation (CA)-prone devices, and applying an updated buffer threshold value for a CA-prone device among the one or more CA-prone devices, to reduce a likelihood of initiation of carrier aggregation for the CA-prone device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/089,109 filed Nov. 4, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/554,235 filed Aug. 28, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,863,525). The disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to quality-of-service (QoS)-aware carrieraggregation procedures.

BACKGROUND

In a radio access network (RAN) that supports RAN QoS features, RAN QoSpolicies may be defined such that under certain circumstances, certaintypes of devices and/or traffic are afforded priority with respect totraffic scheduling and radio frequency (RF) resource allocation. A RANthat supports RAN QoS features may also support carrier aggregation,according to which bandwidth/resources of multiple wireless componentcarriers may be aggregated to form composite channels that can conveydata at higher rates. In such a RAN, the amount of wirelessbandwidth/resources available for data transmission to a given devicemay potentially be affected by both the application of RAN QoS policiesand the implementation of carrier aggregation for that device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a first operating environment.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a second operating environment.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a third operating environment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a fourth operating environment.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for implementing carrier aggregation in radio accessnetworks featuring emergency-aware RAN-QoS schemes. Other embodimentsare described in the subject disclosure. One or more aspects of thesubject disclosure include initiating emergency QoS measures in a RANcell responsive to detecting an emergency condition applicable to theRAN cell. One or more aspects of the subject disclosure includeidentifying a set of non-emergency devices from among a plurality ofwireless communication devices served by the RAN cell in which emergencyQoS measures are initiated. One or more aspects of the subjectdisclosure include identifying, among such an identified set ofnon-emergency devices, a device for which carrier aggregation is likelyto be initiated as a result of emergency QoS measures. One or moreaspects of the subject disclosure include applying an updated bufferthreshold value for such a device, to reduce the likelihood that carrieraggregation will be initiated for that device.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in part initiatingemergency QoS measures in a RAN cell responsive to detecting anemergency condition applicable to the RAN cell, identifying a set ofnon-emergency devices from among a plurality of wireless communicationdevices served by a RAN cell in which emergency QoS measures areinitiated, identifying a non-emergency device for which carrieraggregation is likely to be initiated as a result of emergency QoSmeasures, and/or applying an updated buffer threshold value for such adevice to reduce the likelihood that carrier aggregation will beinitiated for that device. In particular, a communications network 125is presented for providing broadband access 110 to a plurality of dataterminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to aplurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station oraccess point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality ofaudio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition,communication network 125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadbandaccess 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 and media access 140are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can becombined to provide multiple access services to a single client device(e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content via media terminal142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access via switching device132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary operating environment 200A such as maybe representative of various embodiments. In operating environment 200A,a radio access network (RAN) 201 comprises a RAN node 202, which servesa RAN cell 203. A wireless carrier C₁ carries wireless communicationsbetween wireless communication devices in RAN cell 203. RAN cell 203 isa serving cell of a wireless communication device (WCD) 204. RAN node202 uses bandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₁ to transmit data toWCD 204. Such data may originate from a packet data network (PDN), suchas the Internet.

According to various embodiments, radio access network 201 may representa 3GPP 5G RAN, such as an NG-RAN. In some such embodiments, RAN node 202may represent an NG-eNB or a gNB. In various other embodiments, radioaccess network 201 may represent a 3GPP LTE RAN, such as an E-UTRAN. Insome such embodiments, RAN node 202 may represent an eNB. Theembodiments are not limited to these examples.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary operating environment 200B. Operatingenvironment 200B may be representative of various embodiments in whichradio access network 201 of FIG. 2A implements a radio access networkquality-of-service (RAN-QoS) framework. Such a RAN-QoS framework maygenerally constitute a set of rules/policies defining a prioritizationsystem that is to govern allocation of wireless carrierbandwidth/resources and/or scheduling of data transmissions. Inconjunction with scheduling data traffic and/or allocating wirelesscarrier bandwidth/resources for data transmissions, the prioritizationsystem may generally differentiate on the basis of device type and/ortraffic type. For example, radio access network 201 may implement aRAN-QoS framework according to which multiple QoS classes are defined,and differing priorities are recognized and applied with respect to theallocation of bandwidth/resources for wireless communications on thepart of devices of differing QoS classes and/or scheduling transmissionsof data to devices of differing QoS classes.

Operating environment 200B reflects a simple example scenario in which aRAN-QoS framework of radio access network 201 defines two QoS classes: astandard QoS class and a priority QoS class. In the context of thisexample, devices of the standard QoS class may be referred to as“standard-QoS devices”, and devices of the priority QoS class may bereferred to as “priority-QoS devices”. WCD 204 is of the standard QoSclass, and is thus a standard-QoS device. Also present within RAN cell203 are various priority WCDs 204P, which are assigned the priority QoSclass and are thus priority-QoS devices. In some embodiments, a QoSclass identifier (QCI) parameter value may be used to differentiatebetween the various QoS classes defined by a RAN-QoS framework such asthat implemented in operating environment 200B. For instance, in thescenario depicted in FIG. 2B, standard-QoS devices such as WCD 204 maybe assigned a QCI value of 8, while priority-QoS devices such aspriority WCDs 204P may be assigned a QCI value of 6.

In various embodiments, the RAN-QoS framework of radio access network201 may feature RAN-QoS rules/policies designed to ensure theavailability of at least a certain amount of bandwidth/resources ofwireless carrier C₁ for use by priority-QoS devices. For example,RAN-QoS rules/policies of radio access network 201 may define a cap tobe applied upon the amount of bandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₁made available for use by standard-QoS devices, reserving the remainingbandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₁ for priority-QoS devices.Additionally or alternatively, RAN-QoS rules/policies of radio accessnetwork 201 may include QoS-aware scheduling procedures that give higherpriority to priority-QoS devices than to standard-QoS devices forscheduling purposes, based on different delay budgets. The embodimentsare not limited to these examples.

In some embodiments, the RAN-QoS framework of radio access network 201may implement a RAN-QoS scheme comprising RAN-QoS rules/policies thattake effect only under certain conditions. In some embodiments, forexample, the RAN-QoS framework of radio access network 201 may implementa RAN-QoS scheme comprising RAN-QoS rules/policies that take effect inthe event of a public emergency or disaster (an “emergency-aware”RAN-QoS scheme). In such embodiments, the priority QoS class may bereserved for wireless communication equipment of first responders suchas paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers,firefighters, and search and rescue personnel, other public safetyofficials, and associated support personnel. Measures such as cappingthe bandwidth/resources available to standard-QoS devices within RANcell 203 and prioritized scheduling for priority-QoS devices within RANcell 203 may then be implemented upon the declaration of a publicemergency or disaster affecting the geographic area/region of RAN cell203. For example, upon the declaration of a public emergency or disasteraffecting the geographic area/region of RAN cell 203, the radiofrequency (RF) resources made available to standard-QoS devices such asWCD 204 may be capped at a certain threshold, such as 30% of thecollective RF resources of wireless carrier C₁. The remaining 70% may bereserved for priority-QoS devices such as priority WCDs 204P, which mayoptionally be afforded the additional benefit of prioritized scheduling.

In some embodiments, the RAN-QoS framework of radio access network 201may implement an emergency-aware RAN-QoS scheme that differentiatesbetween multiple types/levels of public emergency or disaster andapplies differing measures accordingly. In some embodiments, forexample, an emergency-aware RAN-QoS scheme may be implemented thatrecognizes both a “level 1” emergency/disaster condition and a “level 2”emergency/disaster condition. According to the emergency-aware RAN-QoSscheme, the RF resources made available to standard-QoS devices such asWCD 204 may be capped at one threshold (such as 50%) in the event of alevel 1 emergency/disaster condition affecting the geographicarea/region of RAN cell 203, and may be capped at another, differentthreshold (such as 30%) in the event of a level 2 emergency/disastercondition. In some such embodiments, priority-QoS devices may beafforded prioritized scheduling in the event of a level 2emergency/disaster condition, but not in the event of a level 1emergency/disaster condition. In other embodiments, priority-QoS devicesmay be afforded prioritized scheduling in the event of either type ofemergency/disaster condition, or priority scheduling may not beimplemented.

According to various embodiments, radio access network 201 may bedesignated for use as a First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet)RAN. In such embodiments, the RAN-QoS framework of radio access network201 may feature an emergency-aware RAN-QoS scheme according to which theimplementation of RAN-QoS measures is contingent upon declaration of adisaster in accordance with FirstNet mechanisms. Priority WCDs 204P maycorrespond to FirstNet devices, which may be assigned the priority QoSclass, while non-FirstNet devices such as WCD 204 may be assigned thestandard QoS class.

FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary operating environment 200C that may berepresentative of various embodiments. In operating environment 200C,radio access network 201 and WCD 204 support carrier aggregation. Viacarrier aggregation techniques, aggregated bandwidth/resources ofmultiple wireless carriers may be used to convey data transmissions toWCD 204. In the example scenario reflected in FIG. 2C, data may betransmitted to WCD 204 using aggregated bandwidth/resources of both thewireless carrier C₁ of RAN cell 203 and a wireless carrier C₂ of asecond RAN cell 203S. RAN cell 203 constitutes the PCell of WCD 204 inthis example, while RAN cell 203S is an SCell of WCD 204. Aggregatingavailable bandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₂ with those that areallocated from wireless carrier C₁ may generally provide WCD 204 with agreater collective amount of bandwidth/resources via which to receivedata, which may generally enable WCD 204 to receive data at a fasterrate.

In some embodiments, WCD 204 may be configured to initiate carrieraggregation responsive to detecting a need for additionalbandwidth/resources via which to receive data. In such embodiments, aslong as RAN cell 203 is able to allocate sufficient bandwidth/resourcesof wireless carrier C₁ to convey data to WCD 204 at least as fast asdata destined for WCD 204 arrives at RAN node 202, WCD 204 may operatein a “non-CA” mode of operation, receiving data via only wirelesscarrier C₁. In the event that data begins to arrive at RAN node 202 at arate faster than it can be conveyed to WCD 204 using available resourcesof wireless carrier C₁, RAN node 202 may begin buffering that data in aUE buffer associated with WCD 204. If the condition persists and theamount of data stored in that UE buffer grows to exceed a predefinedthreshold value CA.BUFFER.THRES, RAN cell 203 may trigger carrieraggregation for WCD 204. An aggregated channel may then be formed byaggregating bandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₁ withbandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₂, and radio access network 201may begin conveying data to WCD 204 via that aggregated channel.

It is worthy of note that although FIG. 2C depicts only a single SCell(RAN cell 203S), carrier aggregation may be implemented in operatingenvironment 200C using greater numbers of component carriers accordingto some embodiments. In some embodiments, for example, radio accessnetwork 201 may represent an LTE network supporting carrier aggregationusing up to five component carriers. In some other embodiments, radioaccess network 201 may represent a network that supports even greaternumber of component carriers. For example, in some embodiments, radioaccess network 201 may represent an LTE-A or 5G network that supportscarrier aggregation using up to thirty-two component carriers, or evenmore.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary operating environment 300, which maygenerally be representative of various embodiments in which radio accessnetwork 201 implements an emergency-aware RAN-QoS scheme. Present withinRAN cell 203 in operating environment 300 are WCD 204 and variousemergency WCDs 304P, the latter of which may be assigned to a priorityQoS class such that they benefit from reserved bandwidth and/orprioritized scheduling during emergency/disaster conditions. Accordingto some embodiments, radio access network 201 may represent a RANdesignated for use as a FirstNet RAN, priority WCDs 204P may representFirstNet devices, and WCD 204 may represent a non-FirstNet device.

Under normal conditions (i.e., in the absence of an emergency/disastercondition), at a given point in time, data destined for WCD 204 mayarrive at RAN node 202 and be transmitted to WCD 204 at a rate R₁, usingthe bandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₁ that are allocated to WCD204 at that time. If a public emergency or disaster affecting thegeographic area/region of RAN cell 203 is declared, triggering emergencymeasures that involve reserving RF resources for emergency devices suchas emergency WCDs 304P, the bandwidth/resource allocation of WCD 204 maybe reduced. As a result of this reduction, it may be possible totransmit data to WCD 204 at a rate of only R₂, and RAN node 202 maybegin buffering data destined for WCD 204 at a rate of R₁- R₂. As RANnode 202 continues buffering data destined for WCD 204, the amount ofdata in the UE buffer for WCD 204 may increase until it exceeds apredefined threshold value, at which point RAN cell 203 may initiatecarrier aggregation for WCD 204.

Although WCD 204 is the only non-emergency WCD depicted in FIG. 3, itmay represent only one of numerous such devices served by RAN cell 203for which carrier aggregation is initiated as a result of the triggeringof emergency measures in RAN cell 203. Many such devices may join WCD204 in using RAN cell 203S as an SCell, In itself, this development mayresult in a significant increase in signaling overhead, and may causestrain upon the resources of the wireless carrier C₂ used in RAN cell203S. If RAN cell 203S is also within the geographic area/regionaffected by the emergency/disaster, then emergency measures may also bein effect in RAN cell 203S. In this case, the strain upon the resourcesof wireless carrier C₂ may be especially pronounced. Lessbandwidth/resources of wireless carrier C₂ may be available tonon-emergency devices. At the same time, more devices may now competefor those resources, as the devices that were already being served byRAN cell 203S prior to the implementation of emergency measures in RANcell 203S may be joined in competition by devices attempting to add RANcell 203S as an SCell as a result of the implementation of emergencymeasures in other cells (such as RAN cell 203). The same effect may beobserved in RAN cell 203, where devices served prior to theimplementation of emergency measures therein may be subject tocompetition from devices attempting to add RAN cell 203 as an SCell as aresult of the implementation of emergency measures in other cells (suchas RAN cell 203S).

In a typical deployment scenario, many non-emergency devices served byradio access network 201 may use the provided data connectivity forapplications requiring relatively high data rates, such as videostreaming, for example. As a result of increased competition forresources during an emergency/disaster condition, it may be necessary toaggregate bandwidth/resources of a large number of component carriers inorder to fashion an aggregate channel capable of achieving a data ratesufficient for such an application. If a significant number of devicesin the RAN are capable of high-order carrier aggregation and attempt toimplement it in order to maintain sufficient data rates, signalingoverhead may increase dramatically, potentially becoming a significantdrag on system performance for both emergency devices and non-emergencydevices.

According to the novel techniques disclosed herein, radio access network201 may implement QoS-aware carrier aggregation procedures in order tomitigate such potential effects. In various embodiments, the QoS-awarecarrier aggregation procedures may take the existence ofemergency/disaster conditions—and the effects of QoS policies triggeredby such conditions—into account in conjunction with determining whetherto initiate carrier aggregation. According to such QoS-aware carrieraggregation procedures, during emergency/disaster conditions, carrieraggregation may generally be initiated less readily than it is duringnormal operating conditions.

In various embodiments, in accordance with such QoS-aware carrieraggregation procedures, radio access network 201 may proactively detectthe potential for inefficient resource allocation arising fromemergency-induced carrier aggregation and take appropriate preventativemeasures. In some embodiments, during normal operating conditions, radioaccess network 201 may monitor the traffic patterns and traffic volumesof non-emergency devices, such as WCD 204. Information gathered via suchmonitoring may be used to predict the rates and/or manner in which UEbuffers of the non-emergency devices will fill following the triggeringof emergency measures.

In conjunction with QoS-aware carrier aggregation procedures in someembodiments, upon declaration of an emergency/disaster condition, RANnode 202 may identify a set of carrier aggregation (CA)-capablenon-emergency WCDs served by RAN cell 203. In various embodiments, foreach of the set of CA-capable non-emergency WCDs, RAN node 202 maydetermine whether bandwidth/resource restrictions applicable tonon-emergency devices in RAN cell 203 are likely to trigger theinitiation of carrier aggregation with respect to that CA-capablenon-emergency WCD. A CA-capable non-emergency device with respect towhich emergency QoS measures are likely to result in the initiation ofcarrier aggregation procedures may be referred to as a “CA-pronedevice”. In some embodiments, this determination may be based on acomparison between the rate βt of DL data throughput to WCD 204 at thetime t of the emergency/disaster declaration and the rate γ to whichthroughput will be limited as a result of the subsequently imposedbandwidth/resource restrictions. In some embodiments, RAN node 202 mayestimate y based on the value of βt and the extent of the imposedbandwidth/resource restrictions. For example, if the RF resources madeavailable to non-emergency devices are capped at 30%, RAN node 202 mayestimate γ as 0.3*β_(t).

In some embodiments, for each device for which β≥γ, RAN node 202 mayestimate a parameter T representing an amount of time (such as a numberof seconds) after which the amount of data stored in the UE buffer forthat device will exceed a threshold value CA.BUFFER.THRESH. Theparameter T may be referred to as a “buffer threshold time”. In someembodiments, CA.BUFFER.THRESH may correspond to a predefined thresholdvalue that defines the point at which carrier aggregation is triggeredduring normal operating conditions. In various embodiments, RAN node 202may estimate the parameter T according to Equation (1) as follows:

T=CA.BUFFER.THRESH/(β_(t)−γ)+ε  (1)

where ε is an error factor reflecting the variability of β_(t) overtime. According to some embodiments, in the case of a data traffic ratethat is substantially constant, ε may approach or equal 0. In the caseof a data traffic rate that is expected to increase over time, ε may bepositive, while it may be negative in the case of a data traffic rateexpected to decrease over time. In some embodiments, for each device forwhich β_(t)≥γ, RAN node 202 may also identify the type of traffic thatis being conveyed to that device at time t. In some embodiments, such atraffic type identification may be accomplished using a packet sniffertool, such as DPI.

In various embodiments, RAN node 202 may configure updated CA bufferthreshold values for some or all devices for which β_(t)≥γ. For a givendevice A for which β_(t)≥γ, RAN node 202 may configure an updated CAbuffer threshold value CA.BUFFER.THRESH_(A), whereCA.BUFFER.THRESH_(A)>CA.BUFFER.THRESH. The larger the value ofCA.BUFFER.THRESH_(A), the lesser the likelihood that carrier aggregationwill be triggered for that device A. In some embodiments, RAN node 202may determine CA.BUFFER.THRESH_(A) according to Equation (2) as follows:

CA.BUFFER.THRESH_(A)=CA.BUFFER.THRESH+Δ  (2)

where Δ is selected based on the type of traffic being conveyed todevice A and the burstiness characterizing that traffic.

In various embodiments, RAN node 202 may generally select a larger Δvalue when the traffic being conveyed to device A is associated with alow-priority application (such as a P2P application) and a smaller Δvalue when that traffic is associated with a high-priority application(such as a video application). In some embodiments, significantdegradation of the user experience at device A may be expected if thetraffic being conveyed to device A is bursty. In some embodiments,therefore, RAN node 202 may select an even smaller Δ value if thetraffic being conveyed to device A is associated with a high-priorityapplication and is expected to be bursty.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 400 in accordancewith various aspects described herein. As shown in FIG. 4, emergency QoSmeasures may be initiated in a RAN cell at 402 responsive to detectingan emergency condition applicable to that RAN cell. At 404, a set ofnon-emergency devices may be identified among a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices served by the RAN cell. In some embodiments, theset of non-emergency devices may be identified based on QoS classindices of the set of non-emergency devices.

At 406, one or more CA-prone devices may be identified among the set ofnon-emergency devices identified at 404. In some embodiments, the one ormore CA-prone devices may comprise devices with respect to which theemergency QoS measures are likely to result in initiation of carrieraggregation procedures. In some embodiments, a set of CA-capable devicesmay be identified from among the set of non-emergency devices, and theone or more CA-prone devices may be identified from among the set ofCA-capable devices.

At 408, an updated buffer threshold value may be applied for a CA-pronedevice identified at 406. In some embodiments, the CA-prone device maybe selected based on a buffer threshold time for the CA-prone device. Insome embodiments, the buffer threshold time for the CA-prone device maybe determined based on a data throughput estimate for the CA-pronedevice. In some embodiments, the data throughput estimate for theCA-prone device may be determined based on traffic monitoring data forthe CA-prone device, according to a queuing model.

In some embodiments, application of the updated buffer threshold valueat 408 may reduce a likelihood that carrier aggregation will beinitiated for the CA-prone device. In some embodiments, the updatedbuffer threshold value may be selected based on a type of traffic beingconveyed to the CA-prone device. In some embodiments, the updated bufferthreshold value may be selected based on a burstiness associated withtraffic being conveyed to the CA-prone device.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 4, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram 500 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of RAN node 202, andoperations of method 400 presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3, and 4. Forexample, virtualized communication network 500 can facilitate in wholeor in part initiating emergency QoS measures in a RAN cell responsive todetecting an emergency condition applicable to the RAN cell, identifyinga set of non-emergency devices from among a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices served by a RAN cell in which emergency QoSmeasures are initiated, identifying a non-emergency device for whichcarrier aggregation is likely to be initiated as a result of emergencyQoS measures, and/or applying an updated buffer threshold value for sucha device to reduce the likelihood that carrier aggregation will beinitiated for that device.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 550, a virtualized network function cloud 525 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 575. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 530, 532, 534, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1), suchas an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 530 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 550 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 530, 532 or 534. These network elements can be included intransport layer 550.

The virtualized network function cloud 525 interfaces with the transportlayer 550 to provide the VNEs 530, 532, 534, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 525leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 530, 532 and 534can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 530, 532 and 534 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 530, 532, 534, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 575 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 525 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 530, 532, 534, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 525. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 525 and cloud computingenvironment 575 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 6 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 600 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 600 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 530, 532,534, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 600 canfacilitate in whole or in part initiating emergency QoS measures in aRAN cell responsive to detecting an emergency condition applicable tothe RAN cell, identifying a set of non-emergency devices from among aplurality of wireless communication devices served by a RAN cell inwhich emergency QoS measures are initiated, identifying a non-emergencydevice for which carrier aggregation is likely to be initiated as aresult of emergency QoS measures, and/or applying an updated bufferthreshold value for such a device to reduce the likelihood that carrieraggregation will be initiated for that device.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 6, the example environment can comprise acomputer 602, the computer 602 comprising a processing unit 604, asystem memory 606 and a system bus 608. The system bus 608 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 606to the processing unit 604. The processing unit 604 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 604.

The system bus 608 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 606comprises ROM 610 and RAM 612. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 602,such as during startup. The RAM 612 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 602 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 614(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 614 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 616, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette618) and an optical disk drive 620, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 622 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 614, magnetic FDD 616 and optical disk drive 620 can beconnected to the system bus 608 by a hard disk drive interface 624, amagnetic disk drive interface 626 and an optical drive interface 628,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 624 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 602, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 612,comprising an operating system 630, one or more application programs632, other program modules 634 and program data 636. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 612. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 602 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 638 and apointing device, such as a mouse 640. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 604 through aninput device interface 642 that can be coupled to the system bus 608,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 644 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 608 via an interface, such as a video adapter 646. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 644can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 602 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 644, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 602 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 648. The remotecomputer(s) 648 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer602, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 650 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 652 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 654. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 602 can beconnected to the LAN 652 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 656. The adapter 656 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 652, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 656.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 602 can comprisea modem 658 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN654 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 654,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 658, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 608 via the input device interface 642. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 602 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 650. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 602 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an embodiment 700 of a mobile network platform710 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 530, 532, 534, etc. For example, platform 710 can facilitatein whole or in part initiating emergency QoS measures in a RAN cellresponsive to detecting an emergency condition applicable to the RANcell, identifying a set of non-emergency devices from among a pluralityof wireless communication devices served by a RAN cell in whichemergency QoS measures are initiated, identifying a non-emergency devicefor which carrier aggregation is likely to be initiated as a result ofemergency QoS measures, and/or applying an updated buffer thresholdvalue for such a device to reduce the likelihood that carrieraggregation will be initiated for that device. In one or moreembodiments, the mobile network platform 710 can generate and receivesignals transmitted and received by base stations or access points suchas base station or access point 122. Generally, mobile network platform710 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, mobile network platform 710 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 710comprises CS gateway node(s) 712 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 740 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 760. CS gateway node(s) 712 canauthorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 712 can access mobility, orroaming, data generated through SS7 network 760; for instance, mobilitydata stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside inmemory 730. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 712 interfaces CS-based trafficand signaling and PS gateway node(s) 718. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, CS gateway node(s) 712 can be realized at least in part ingateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated thatfunctionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 712, PSgateway node(s) 718, and serving node(s) 716, is provided and dictatedby radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 710 fortelecommunication over a radio access network 720 with other devices,such as a radiotelephone 775.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 718 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 710, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 750,enterprise network(s) 770, and service network(s) 780, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 710 through PS gateway node(s) 718. It is to benoted that WANs 750 and enterprise network(s) 770 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 720, PS gateway node(s) 718 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 718 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 700, mobile network platform 710 also comprises servingnode(s) 716 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 720, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 718. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 718; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 716 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)714 in mobile network platform 710 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 710. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 718 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 716 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 714 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 710 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 712and PS gateway node(s) 718 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 750 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 710 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 714 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 710. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 730, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 714 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 700, memory 730 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 710. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 710, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 730 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 740, WAN 750, SS7network 760, or enterprise network(s) 770. In an aspect, memory 730 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 7, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 8, an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 800 is shown. The communication device 800 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 800 can facilitate in whole or in part initiatingemergency QoS measures in a RAN cell responsive to detecting anemergency condition applicable to the RAN cell, identifying a set ofnon-emergency devices from among a plurality of wireless communicationdevices served by a RAN cell in which emergency QoS measures areinitiated, identifying a non-emergency device for which carrieraggregation is likely to be initiated as a result of emergency QoSmeasures, and/or applying an updated buffer threshold value for such adevice to reduce the likelihood that carrier aggregation will beinitiated for that device.

The communication device 800 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 802 (herein transceiver 802), a user interface (UI) 804, apower supply 814, a location receiver 816, a motion sensor 818, anorientation sensor 820, and a controller 806 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 802 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 802 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 804 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 808 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device800. The keypad 808 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 800 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 808 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 804 can further include a display810 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 800. In anembodiment where the display 810 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 808 can be presented by way of the display 810 withnavigation features.

The display 810 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 800 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 810 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 810 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 800 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 804 can also include an audio system 812 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 812 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 812 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI804 can further include an image sensor 813 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 814 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 800 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 816 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 800 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 818can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 800 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 820 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device800 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 800 can use the transceiver 802 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 806 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 800.

Other components not shown in FIG. 8 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 800 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), toa confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/orstatistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilitiesand costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desires to beautomatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example ofa classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding ahypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurfaceattempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggeringevents. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testingdata that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directedand undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïveBayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logicmodels, and probabilistic classification models providing differentpatterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used hereinalso is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to developmodels of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communications media. Forexample, computer readable storage media can include, but are notlimited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing system for aradio access network (RAN) node, the processing system including aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations,the operations comprising: identifying a first set of one or moredevices assigned to a first quality-of-service (QoS) class, the firstset of one or more devices being among a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices served by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node;identifying a second set of one or more devices assigned to a second QoSclass, the second set of one or more devices being among the pluralityof wireless communication devices served by the RAN node; and applyingan updated buffer threshold value for at least one device of the firstset of one or more devices to reduce a likelihood of initiation ofcarrier aggregation for the first set of one or more devices.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the identifying the first set of one or moredevices assigned to the first QoS class comprises identifying one ormore carrier aggregation (CA)-prone devices communicating with the RANnode.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the applying the updated bufferthreshold value is responsive to detecting an emergency conditionapplicable to the RAN node, and wherein the one or more devices assignedto the first QoS class are identified as non-emergency devices.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: identifyinga set of carrier aggregation (CA)-capable devices from among theplurality of wireless communication devices served by the RAN node; andidentifying the first set of one or more devices from among the set ofCA-capable devices.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise selecting the updated buffer threshold value based on atype of traffic being conveyed to the at least one device of the firstset of one or more devices.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise selecting the updated buffer threshold valuebased on a burstiness associated with traffic being conveyed to the atleast one device of the first set of one or more devices.
 7. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: determining arespective buffer threshold time for each of the first set of one ormore devices; and selecting the at least one device of the first set ofone or more devices from the first set of one or more devices based onthe respective buffer threshold time of each of the first set of one ormore devices.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the operations furthercomprise determining the respective buffer threshold time for each ofthe first set of one or more devices based on a respective datathroughput estimate of each of the first set of one or more devices. 9.The device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:monitoring respective traffic patterns of each of the first set of oneor more devices to obtain traffic monitoring data; and determining therespective data throughput estimate of each of the first set of one ormore devices based on respective traffic monitoring data for each of thefirst set of one or more devices, according to a queuing model.
 10. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise determiningthe respective buffer threshold time for each of the first set of one ormore devices based on a respective data throughput variability for eachof the first set of one or more devices.
 11. The device of claim 1,wherein the RAN node comprises a node of a next generation RAN (NG-RAN).12. The device of claim 1, wherein the RAN node comprises a nextgeneration node B (gNB).
 13. A non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system for a radio access network node, the processing systemincluding a processor, facilitate performance of operations, theoperations comprising: identifying a first set of one or more devicesassigned to a first quality-of-service (QoS) class, the first set of oneor more devices being among a plurality of wireless communicationdevices served by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node; identifying asecond set of one or more devices assigned to a second QoS class, thesecond set of one or more devices being among the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices served by the RAN node; and applying an updatedbuffer threshold value for at least one device of the first set of oneor more devices to reduce a likelihood of initiation of carrieraggregation for the first set of one or more devices.
 14. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein theidentifying the first set of one or more devices assigned to the firstQoS class comprises identifying one or more carrier aggregation(CA)-prone devices communicating with the RAN node.
 15. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein theapplying the updated buffer threshold value is responsive to detectingan emergency condition applicable to the RAN node, and wherein the oneor more devices assigned to the first QoS class are identified asnon-emergency devices.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise selectingthe updated buffer threshold value based on a burstiness associated withtraffic being conveyed to the at least one device of the first set ofone or more devices.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 13, wherein the radio access network node comprises anext generation node B (gNB).
 18. A method, comprising: identifying, bya processing system including a processor, a first set of one or moredevices assigned to a first quality-of-service (QoS) class, the firstset of one or more devices being among a plurality of wirelesscommunication devices served by a Radio Access Network (RAN) node;identifying, by the processing system, a second set of one or moredevices assigned to a second QoS class, the second set of one or moredevices being among the plurality of wireless communication devicesserved by the Radio Access Network (RAN) node; and applying an updatedbuffer threshold value for at least one device of the first set of oneor more devices to reduce a likelihood of initiation of carrieraggregation for the first set of one or more devices.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the applying the updated buffer threshold value isresponsive to detecting an emergency condition applicable to the RANnode., and wherein the CA-prone device is identified as a non-emergencydevice.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the RAN node comprises anode of a next generation RAN (NG-RAN).